Upalokayukta censures Nagamangala DySP over transportation of minor minerals

The Upalokayukta B. Veerappa has censured the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Nagamangala Cheluvaraju, for “shirking his institutional responsibility” in preventing unauthorised transportation of minor minerals.

The Upalokayukta’s rap came in response to the comments submitted by Mr. Cheluvaraju during the proceedings held earlier this week in the case relating to the death of a truck driver after the tipper he was driving fell into a deep gorge created by illegal mining in Bellur Police Station limits in Nagamangala taluk.

After the Deputy Superintendent of Police, in his statement submitted before the Upalokayukta through the Assistant Sub Inspector of Bellur Police Station, stated that “it was not his prime duty to prevent illegal mining as the government is intending to establish a separate committee for the same and also being a police officer, he is under tremendous pressure to do other works,” the Upalokayukta said the police official’s statement was against the provisions of the Karnataka Minor Minerals Concessions (KMCC) Rules.

Under the rules, Deputy Superintendents of Police are designated as authorised officers empowered to check vehicles transporting minor minerals and take action against violations within their jurisdiction, the Upalokayukta observed.

By claiming that he would act only upon complaints, the Deputy Superintendent of Police has failed to discharge his legal duties and undermined the regulatory framework intended to curb illegal mining. This was viewed by the authority not only as a dereliction of duty but also as maladministration, especially in light of the fact that the accident itself was a consequence of illegal mining activity that should have been prevented through routine checks and enforcement.

Expressing astonishment over the mismatch in the registration number of the tipper lorry and its chassis number, the Upalokayukta directed the Deputy Superintendent of Police to furnish the detailed information regarding the enforcement measures taken over the past two years, including the number of officers deployed for mineral transport checks, vehicles inspected, violations detected, and actions taken, including seizures and prosecutions.

Further, the Upalokayukta said a copy of the order is to be sent to Director General of Police (DGP), Inspector of Police, Southern Range, Mysuru, and Superintendent of Mandya District Police with a request to “enlighten” the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Nagamangala, and also other police officers in the State about their role in prevention of unauthorised transportation of minor minerals.